Counter-terrorism operations will be the central focus of the ninth edition of the India-Kazakhstan joint military exercise, KAZIND.
A 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent departed for Oskemen, Kazakhstan, to participate in KAZIND-2026, scheduled to be held from September 28 to October 11. The Indian contingent comprises mainly troops from a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, besides personnel from other arms and services and the Indian Air Force. Kazakhstan will deploy a contingent of similar strength, drawn primarily from its Land Forces.
The exercise seeks to improve interoperability and strengthen the ability of the two forces to jointly conduct counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under a United Nations mandate.
Training during KAZIND-2026 will concentrate on joint responses to terrorist actions and a range of operations aimed at locating, isolating and neutralising simulated threats. The troops from the two countries will train to tackle simulated terrorist threats across semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
The contingents will practise raids, search-and-destroy missions and cordon-and-search operations. Training will also cover securing helipads and landing sites and conducting Special Heliborne Operations, according to a statement from the defence ministry.
Joint planning and execution will be another major component of the exercise. Air mobility and the integrated deployment of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Counter-UAS capabilities will also feature prominently.
A Joint Command Post and an Intelligence and Surveillance Centre will be established to enable coordinated planning and execution between the two forces.
The training will culminate in a comprehensive validation exercise. Indian and Kazakh troops will jointly employ the tactics, techniques and procedures rehearsed during KAZIND against a simulated terrorist threat.
The exercise will also allow personnel from both countries to draw on each other's operational experience and strengthen professional ties, mutual trust and camaraderie.
KAZIND-2026 is also aimed at deepening military-to-military cooperation between India and Kazakhstan and reinforcing their shared commitment towards regional peace, stability and collective security.
